About

Our Vision

Leadership in the exemplary preparation of educators through full campus commitment for the transformation of education to meet societal needs.

Our Principles

TRG is committed to the following set of principles:

The member institution values and models teaching excellence.

Teacher preparation is integrated across the curricula of general education, in-depth subject matter content, and professional studies in both general content and specific teaching methodologies.

The education of teachers incorporates extensive and sequenced field and clinical experiences in various settings with effective supervision.

The institution meets and exceeds national and state standards for the preparation of school personnel.

The university assesses learner outcomes in order to monitor its program effectiveness and assure teacher quality.

Pre-service teachers and faculty members reflect our pluralistic society and are committed to the education of all students in diverse schools.

The continuing professional development of teachers is the shared responsibility of the individual, the university faculty, and other professional educators.

The university provides learning experiences and mentoring that develops teachers who are creative and innovative leaders, and integrates technology throughout its teacher preparation program.

Through its active commitment to these principles, TRG serves as a proactive force for the improvement and reform of education—locally, regionally and nationally.

Some History

The Renaissance Group was conceived at a time (Spring of 1989) of increased expectations for schools and for teacher education programs in colleges and universities. The educational leaders, who first gathered at the University of Northern Iowa in the spring of 1989 and those who joined them in a series of meetings that followed, were visionary in their belief and firm in their conviction that the education of teachers must become an all-campus responsibility.

Over 25 years later, all members of the Executive Governing Board, consisting of University Presidents, Provosts, Deans of Education, Deans of Arts and Sciences and leaders of national educational agencies, enthusiastically renew their commitment to improve teacher preparation programs by reflecting on past practices, celebrating accomplishments, embracing present and future educational challenges, and by sharing strategies and practices designed to improve local, regional and national learning environments.

The membership has grown over the past twenty years, attracting more than thirty (30) member institutions during its development. Today, more than ever, all member institutions proudly renew their unconditional support for the preparation of educators as a campus-wide effort, and are pleased to announce that a significant number of teachers successfully prepare for the profession in TRG Institutions.

The Renaissance Group will be providing again this year, as it has done annually since its inception, unique opportunities for educators to celebrate their successes and recommit their individual and collective talents and resources for the preparation of quality educators for America’s schools.